Season's delight: Try this black grape shikanji for an energy boost!

Filling up pockets with these plump and juicy snacks and munching on them for an instant energy kick, that’s my faint memory of eating black grapes as a child. These dark-skinned grapes are nature’s way of saying ‘enjoy your life’ peeps! Haven’t you tried to fetch one up straight from the bunch? Well, to keep up with the fun of eating grapes, here’s a black grape shikanji recipe that’s easy peasy and slurp-worthy.

This refreshing and energy-boosting drink is perfect for the season’s transition when you’re confused about feeling cold or hot. It will kick away your fatigue, boost your heart health, and shower you with more health benefits. To start with, we need just simple ingredients to make this one.

Here’s how to make black grape shikanji:

Ingredients:

  1. 1 cup black grapes
  2. 2 tsp sugar
  3. 1 lime
  4. Chaat masala
  5. Rock salt
  6. 1 mint twig
  7. Soda water (optional)

Preparation:

  1. Wash and clean the black grapes and extract its juice.
  2. If you don’t have a juicer, use a basic grinder to mash the grapes. Using a sieve to filter all the juice into a bowl.
  3. In a pan, pour the juice, add 2 tsp sugar and let it simmer.
  4. Once it thickens, keep it aside to cool down.
  5. In a tall glass, add 5-6 slices of black grapes.
  6. Place a few cubes of ice in the glass.
  7. Now pour some thickened grape syrup.
  8. Add the mint leaves.
  9. Squeeze a lime into the glass.
  10. Add 1 pinch each of rock salt and chat masala.
  11. Place 2 slices of lime in the glass.
  12. Pour water to the glass or you can also top it up with soda water for extra zing!

Enjoy it as a pick me up on a lazy afternoon!

Now that you know how to make this one, let us tell you how this drink can benefit your health. To know the immense benefits of black grapes, HealthShots spoke to Parul Malhotra Bahl, a nutritionist and certified diabetes educator.

black grapesBlack grapes can also enhance your beauty. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Bahl listed the following benefits of black grapes that you can reap:

  1. Black grapes contain a high level of potassium and fiber that helps in regulating blood pressure.
  2. These fruits contain a generous amount of resveratrol and quercetin. These antioxidants may help reduce and protect against the damage caused by high cholesterol levels in the bloodstream.
  3. They are the best Premenstrual Syndrome snack you can nosh on your periods. The riboflavin present in black grapes is also known to treat frequent headaches and migraines.
  4. Dark-skinned grapes are rich in antioxidants and carotenoids that prevent the production of free radicals that cause cancer.
  5. The secret ingredient is the potent grapeseed oil present in black grapes. It is rich in antioxidants and vitamin E that helps maintain your skin and hair health.
  6. Proanthocyanidins and resveratrol in black grapes may help reduce dark spots and pigmentation.
  7. Grapes are also rich in vitamin C which keeps the wrinkles away and gives your skin a brightened appearance.
  8. Vitamin K that is known to support bone health is found extensively in black grapes.

So, ladies, replace your popcorn with a healthy bowl of black grapes or enjoy this shikanji as you dilly-dally through the weekend!